Richard Marles says Geelong can become hi-tech hub, wants prosperity shared by all

The nation’s second most senior political figure, Corio MP Richard Marles, wants Geelong to become a hi-tech hub where the prosperity is shared by all. The Deputy Prime Minister outlined his vision to the ‘Addy following a Labor win that even he failed to predict.

Richard Marles and Libby Coker were front and centre at Labor’s election night event at St Albans Football and Netball Club. Picture: Alan Barber.

Richard Marles has shared his vision for Geelong for the next three years following a stunning election win for Labor that means the Corio MP will retain his position as the second most senior political figure in the country.

Speaking on Sunday in glorious sunshine along the Geelong waterfront, Mr Marles said even he was surprised by the extent of a Labor victory that saw Peter Dutton become the first sitting federal opposition leader to lose their own seat.

“I certainly thought we were in with a shot of governing in our own right,” he said.

“But it looks like that when everything is done and dusted, we will have achieved more than I thought possible.”

Richard Marles was all smiles on Sunday at the waterfront, where he took a sometimes disobedient Humphrey for a walk. Picture: Phil Yeo.

Mr Marles outlined a vision where all of Geelong would prosper from what he said were abundant opportunities at the region’s fingertips.

“It is about ensuring that as we move forward, the same journey is being had by everyone in Geelong,” he said.

“I think a lot about the north, I think a lot about places like Newcomb and Whittington, thinking about the extent to which those areas are ones which also create opportunities for people.

“I think that particularly the needs-based funding for schools is so important for those areas, the increase in Medicare expenditure is going to be really important for the health of those areas.”

With three quarters of votes counted, Mr Marles’ margin in Corio of 13.7 per cent represented a small swing towards him, aided by an uptick in his primary vote to 43.4 per cent.

The Liberal primary vote held steady at 25 per cent, while One Nation’s vote more than doubled to just shy of double figures.

In Corangamite, Libby Coker also recorded a swing towards her, which could dissipate after early votes that traditionally favour conservative parties are counted.

As it stands, she holds an almost 9 per cent lead on a two-party basis over Liberal candidate Darcy Dunstan.

The Labor primary vote of 38 per cent and the Greens’ 14.7 per cent were both fractionally down from 2022, while left-leaning independent Kate Lockhart polled a respectable 4.3 per cent.

Richard Marles and Libby Coker enjoy the winning moment. Picture: Alan Barber.

“I had some very unpleasant experiences on this campaign,” Ms Coker said, referencing interactions at pre-poll centres ahead of election day.

“I have never experienced it before and it was the volunteers who stood with me and supported me that made me feel and safe and secure,”

“We are the party that is fuelled by your passion, without it we would not be where we are, we would not win.

“We are in for an amazing three years, we’ve done so much and now we have another three years.”

Libby Coker and Richard Marles enjoy the moment. Picture: Alan Barber.

Mr Marles described Anthony Albanese as a “fundamentally decent man” and one who can now lay claim to being the first re-elected prime minister since John Howard.

Mr Marles said the Geelong region had a host of opportunities before it, none less than in the advanced manufacturing space.

“With the closure of Alcoa, with Ford stopping making cars, there’s kind of been a moment where we’ve thought, ‘is this who we are?’, but it is,” he said.

“Now we’re seeing real opportunities in manufacturing, particularly in defence, coming into Geelong and I think not only is that an employment opportunity, but it’s such an opportunity in terms of fostering science and technology.

“When you think about some of those assets, the university, the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, we can be a centre of science and a centre of tech, and with that a centre of hi-tech manufacturing.”

Mr Marles was to fly to Canberra on Sunday evening for a series of meetings.

Originally published as Richard Marles says Geelong can become hi-tech hub, wants prosperity shared by all